Dave gives up on sticky wicket

David Cameron knows and loves cricket. He shouldn't be afraid to say so. (Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

The prime minister was waxing lyrical about ousted England slogger Kevin Pietersen when speaking to BBC Lancashire earlier today. The PM confessed that he is ‘an enormous fan of KP.’ And added: ‘Some of my most enjoyable times have been watching him tonking the ball all over the park.’

Some members of the media pack have been giving the PM flak for this intervention; but Mr S is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Cameron has been mocked for his dubious love of Aston Villa in the past, but he clearly knew what he was talking about this time:

‘A really great moment for me was – he scored a century for England against India and I was allowed to go into the dressing room with the players – they are allowed to have a beer when they score a century – so I gave him and Ian Bell their celebratory beers. It was a proud moment for me. He’s an amazing man.’

The Sports Minister can barely name a football team, so it was refreshing to hear a politician actually express a considered opinion on a sporting matter.

But, it was all too good to last. Realising that he was on a sticky wicket, or perhaps because he was getting a death stare from an aide, the PM quickly reverted to type:

‘Look, I don’t pick the England team. His average is remarkable. It is not often I have sympathy for Piers Morgan, but I thought he was making quite a powerful argument this morning on my radio. But I will let the England selectors pick the England team. I think I had better stay out of this one.’

As you were, Dave. What is the country coming to when the prime minister is castigated for expressing a view about cricket? He’s not wrong either. KP might not be the best role model for a team building exercise; but at least he’s got some balls.

He’s a huge cricket fan. Who can forget Dave’s praise of the England team when the ashes were won. Colin Wood got a mention, I believe. Should have been Collingwood, but never mind.

BarkingAtTreehuggers

Steerpike – the DT went further down the line and added into the team that to-be-convicted criminal journo in exile, Piers you know who. Why did you not top that, say something more appropriate and make a comparison to say… Robert Mugabe?

Mynydd

The Prime Minister should be more concerned about the fate of the people of Somerset than the fate of a

trapezium

How do you know he’s not?

Mynydd

If he was concerned about the fate of the people of Somerset and indeed all those up and down the country who are flooded out, he would be transferring billions from the Overseas Aid budget to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Fergus Pickering

What a silly comment. You mustn’t do A because B is more important. In fact you mustn’t do ANYTHING until you have fixed B. In this case what do you suggest Cameron does. Tel the floods to subside? I gather that was tried once without success.

fathomwest

I certainly am no supporter of Chief Broken Promises. BUT as this is a country in which we can speak freely Well almost! David Cameron is fully entitled to speak up.
At least he likes cricket and knows who KP is.

realfish

I think that Mynydd, below, makes your point quite well.

AdemAljo

Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for the PM. He was obviously keen to express his just opinion on a sport he genuinely loves and was reigned in by some overbearing aide or even his own reluctance to express views outside of politics, which coincidentally will have been brained into him by several overbearing aides, PR men, marketing types, political gurus etc.

It’s a sad commentary on our public life, but at least when it comes to sports played with hard leather balls and a great wooden bat Cameron keeps it firmly within the UK. If Miliband gets in we’ll all be guzzling Fenway Franks, wearing snapbacks and whistling Dixie.